Significant Engagements

• Investigation of the $5.6 billion collapse of the HIH Group of companies following referral of 56 matters from the HIH Royal Commission. A total of 8 former HIH officers were sentenced to terms of imprisonment including the CEO and a high profile non-executive director, who were each sentenced to 4.5 years’ imprisonment. In addition, civil penalty proceedings were commenced against a number of former senior HIH officers, resulting in fines and compensation orders totalling approximately $9 million and the imposition of significant disqualification orders.
• Investigation relating to James Hardie arising from the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Medical Research and Compensation Fund. This matter is a landmark case for defining the responsibilities of both executive and non-executive directors of public companies.
• Special Investigation into the Spedley Group of Companies following the $1.2 billion collapse of the group. The investigation culminated in the managing director being sentenced to in excess of 6 years’ imprisonment.
• Investigation of Trio Capital Limited involved the largest superannuation fraud in Australia’s history with losses in excess of $180 million. The investment manager of the fund targeted for the fraud was sentenced to 3 years 9 months imprisonment.
• Investigation of an Insolvency Practitioner culminating in his sentencing to 6 years imprisonment and life banning from acting as a liquidator.
• Investigation of the $200 million collapse of the Fincorp Group, a funds management and property development group, resulted in the former Chairman and CEO being sentenced to 3.5 years’ imprisonment.
• Investigation of the $332 million collapse of Australian Capital Reserve, a funds management arm of the Estate Property Group, resulted in three former directors pleading guilty to making false or misleading statements.